On 18 Nov 1913, a letter was sent to each of the then current printing contractors requesting a quote for Postage Due Labels. The lowest tender from Harrison & Sons was accepted, and printing warrants were sent on 14 Mar 1914 for 25 issue reams of ½d, 50 issue reams of 1d, 100 issue reams of 2d, and 25 issue reams of 5d. (One issue ream = 250 sheets of 480 stamps.)
• Harrison & Sons, 45, 46 & 47 St Martin’s Lane, WC
• Waterlow Bros & Layton Ltd, Broken Wharf, Upper Thames St, EC
• De La Rue & Co, 110 Bunhill Row, EC
I am directed by the Board of Inland Revenue to state that it is proposed to introduce at an early date a system of accounting for surcharges on Postal packets by means of adhesive stamp labels, to be known as “Postage Due” labels, and I am directed to invite you to tender for supplies of the labels in regard to which I have to furnish you with the following particulars.
The labels will be of four denominations viz:- ½d., 1d., 2d., and 5d. and the design (which, with the exception of the words denoting value, will probably be the same for all four denominations) will bear no portrait. The dimensions of the labels will be the same as the 1d. Unified Postage and Revenue Stamp but the short edge of the stamp will be from top to bottom and the long edge from left to right. The labels will be issued in sheets of 240 and the colours will probably be the same as those of the corresponding denomination of Postage Stamps, viz., ½d. green; 1d. red; 2d. orange; and 5d. fawn. The paper and its preparation, the gum, the character of ink, and the printing and perforation of the labels are to be in all respects the same as in the case of the 1d. Unified Postage and Revenue Stamp (new design), and the manufacture of the labels is to be carried out under the same conditions as apply to Postage Stamps. The necessary printing plates will be provided as in the case of Postage Stamps by this Department.
The Board desire to obtain prices applicable to supplies of specified quantities and accordingly if you desire to tender, I am to ask that you will furnish a sliding scale of prices on the following lines: For an order of labels (of any one denomination) of not less than [25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300] issue reams.
I am to add that in case you desire to tender, the Board would be glad to receive your quotations at as early a date as practicable. An envelope is enclosed in which any tender should be sent.
Harrison & Sons – Nov 21
We have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of November 18th giving particulars of the “Postage Due” Labels and requesting our Tender for the production of same; and we beg to quote as follows for the work as specified in your letter:
| 25 issue reams | 13/3d |
| 50 issue reams | 12/- |
| 75 issue reams | “ |
| 100 issue reams | 11/9d |
| 150 issue reams | “ |
| 200 issue reams | 11/6d |
| 250 issue reams | “ |
| 300 issue reams | “ |
Two printings plates will be required in each case.
Waterlow Bros & Layton – Nov 25
We have pleasure in submitting to the Board of Commissioners of Inland Revenue, our prices for creating Postage Due Labels on the lines as set out in your letter of the 18th inst. We should require the paper to be delivered to us in reel form for gumming in the same manner as the Insurance Stamp Paper. Our prices will be as follows:
| 25 issue reams | 16/6d |
| 50 issue reams | 15/0d |
| 75 issue reams | 13/8d |
| 100 issue reams | 13/2d |
| 150 issue reams | 12/11d |
| 200 issue reams | 12/9d |
| 250 issue reams | 12/7d |
| 300 issue reams | 12/6d |
The Paper would be Plate glazed and the sheets printed on single-stop cylinder machines.
In considering our Tender we respectfully call your attention to the life of the plates from which we create Insurance Stamps; our method being to thoroughly examine every sheet of paper prior to printing and removing those which contain any defect that is at all likely to damage the printing surface, consequently we believe the cost of producing these stamps is greatly affected by economical working of the plates.
We trust to be favoured with the above work and beg to assure you that same will receive our best attention.
De La Rue & Co – Nov 25
Following our interview yesterday, in reference to your letter of the 18th instant, we have much pleasure in appending our tender for “Postage Due” Stamps; but we respectfully beg to confirm what we mentioned vernally, that we fear it would be quite impossible for us to undertake to print stamps from plates other than those of our own manufacture. For this reason the subjoined prices are dependent upon the manufacture both of the die and the plate for each value being entrusted to us. These we would make at the following prices: the die, £12. 15. 0; the plate, £7. 13. 0, a separate die and plate being required for each duty. Only one plate would be charged for each duty, we ourselves undertaking to supply, free of cost, any additions or renewals.
We should like to add that the paper on which stamps are printed is sometimes a matter of considerable importance, and that if it, therefore, is in any way possible, we should prefer the necessary supplies to be obtained from the Chartham Mills, of whose work in this direction we have had experience. A system of control already exists at the mill in question, which we think might be utilised.
On hearing from you we could obtain a price for the paper, and would supply you with the additional cost per ream entailed were the paper included.
| 25 issue reams | 38/- |
| 50 issue reams | 28/6 |
| 75 issue reams | 28/- |
| 100 issue reams | 27/3 |
| 150 issue reams | 26/1 |
| 200 issue reams | 20/- |
| 250 issue reams | 17/6 |
| 300 issue reams | 15/- |